Landscape and Grounds Assistant

DESCRIPTION OF JOB:

This individual reports directly to the Landscape and Grounds Manager. Duties may include varied aspects of building maintenance with a focus on landscape and grounds duties. This position is designed for a technician who can work both as a team member and independently without direct supervision in order to improve the overall appearance of the campus landscape and grounds and other assigned duties. Strong customer service and communication skills are essential. Successful candidates will have a good work ethic, possess good attitude and initiative, and the desire to continually improve process and performance in the Facilities Operations department.

Responsibilities:

This position is responsible for the maintenance and improvement of all campus grounds, outdoor recreational facilities, side-walks, streets, parking lots and other related areas. This includes maintenance of grounds on Monroe Street and Deming Way Campus. Supervision of student labor is a key part of this position.

Mowing lawns with both push mowers, small tractors, and walk-behind commercial mowers.

String trimming and blowing off paved surfaces.

Hand weeding of flower gardens, islands, terraces and other planting areas on campus.

Winter maintenance of the grounds requires snow shoveling, deicing and operation of snow blowers and other snow equipment as needed to remove all snow and ice from sidewalks, steps, and entrances.

Pick up litter on grounds and empty trash containers as necessary.

Compliance with all safety rules and regulations set forth in the Staff Manual. This position must become familiar with safety procedures and report all hazards or infractions to the Director of Facilities Operations and the Environmental Health, Safety and Risk Specialist.

Assist with maintenance of the health and appearance of the trees, plants, lawn and shrubs which may require chemical applications, weed removal, fertilization, watering, wrapping young trees, pruning and removal of trees and shrubs. This work may be done internal or hired out. Chemical or fertilizer treatments require applicator to be certified and in compliance with the Wisconsin DATCP regulations for Category 3: Turf and Landscape Pesticide Application. All tree care must be in compliance with the ISA Best Practices.

Provide assistance to other maintenance technicians or student workers at the request of the Landscape and Grounds Manager.

Reporting all hazards, defects, deterioration and wear and tear of the facilities, equipment, and grounds to the Landscape and Grounds Manager.

Ensuring that the rules and regulations of the College, policies and procedures of the Facilities Operations Department, and all safety regulations, are known and observed by staff- especially student workers.

Performing other routine work of the Facilities Operations Department as assigned by the Landscape and Grounds Manager.

Provide back up to other maintenance staff.

On-call availability for weekend rotation as well as times necessary for snow removal, which may include mandatory longer hours and weekends.

JOB QUALIFICATIONS

Necessary Education or Work Experience:

Minimum of three years of landscape and grounds experience is preferred.

Knowledge of preventative maintenance on landscape and grounds equipment.

Required Knowledge and Skills:

Ability to operate hand tools, testing instruments, and vehicles common to the trade.

Ability to safely work with mild chemicals common to the trade in a manner which protects oneself, others in the area of the work, and to the environment.

Ability to work out of doors in all types of weather.

Ability to climb and work from heights.

Ability to lift large heavy, bulky items.

Computer literacy including some proficiency with Microsoft Excel and Word; ability to learn other software quickly.

Ability to effectively communicate verbally and in writing and to take instructions from either.

Ability to express ideas effectively.

Ability to work effectively with other members of the department, and meet the public well.

Walking, bending, lifting may be required for extended periods of time.

Attend meetings, seminars and workshops as required.

Ability to be on call for urgent or emergency situations on a rotating basis.

Possession of a valid Wisconsin driver’s license as it will be necessary to drive to the Deming Campus and occasionally other places.

Any understanding of Spanish, a plus.

Annual continued education. Must include, but is not limited to acquiring certification from Wisconsin Department of Trade and Consumer Protection (WI DATCP) for Category 3: Turf and Landscape pesticide application and the International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) for certified arborist, within one and two years of employment, respectively.

Other Qualifications:

The candidate must be willing to learn the unique features and history of Edgewood College and to share that information with visitors to the College and other community members. The candidate must be willing to engage and interact with other departments and to take involvement in campus activities and goings on. Edgewood College, an Equal Opportunity Employer, is committed to academic excellence through diversity in its faculty, staff, and students. Candidates must demonstrate multicultural competence — the awareness, knowledge, and skills needed to work with others who are culturally different from self in meaningful, relevant, and productive ways. Applicants from traditionally underrepresented populations including women and racial and ethnic minorities are especially encouraged to apply. The selected candidate must actively support the mission of the College by working with faculty, staff and students to share in our core values — truth, compassion, justice, partnership, and community.